Phonograph with moving stylus and stationary record



PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 30, 1942 R. G. LEITN ER Nov. 1, 1949.

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PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 30, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 IllHillIllllllIIIIHIHIHIIIHIHIIlllllllllll Ill mmvron. fi/CHARD GILf/T/VEI? 60M Mo Patented Nov. 1, 1949 PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Richard G. Leitner, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Frank Richer, New York, N. Y.; Lu Garda Rieber executrix of said Frank Rieber, deceased Application September 30, 1942, Serial No. 460,264

6 Claims. (01. 274-9) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in sound translating devices.

One object of the invention comprises, inter alia, a sound translating device having a rotating sound translating stylus head and using a substantially stationary sound record element.

The invention broadly comprises a rotatably mounted sound translating stylus head, including a stylus, movable in radius variation with respect to its axis of rotation, means for holding a sound record element and preferably a sound record element having at least two straight parallel sides, in substantially stationary position adapted for stylus engagement with said stylus head, and means for rotating said stylus head, in stylus engagement with a sound record element so held, along a closely spiralled path. The stylus head rotating means connected, in accordance with my invention, to a constant groove velocity drive mechanism generically comprising an axially movable wheel drivingly connected to said means for rotating said stylus head, a rotatably mounted driving cone, positioned for frictional engagement with the rim of said wheel along a surface line parallel to the axis of said wheel, and means operatively connecting said stylus head and said wheel for axially moving said wheel between a first and second position corresponding respectively to maximum and minimum radial stylus positions on a record element so held, said first and second Wheel positions being respectively in registry with relatively small and large cone diameters, said friction wheel and said cone surface being dimensioned to substantially compensate, when operatively engaged for progressive radial variations in stylus positions to thereby effect substantially constant linearvelocity of stylus motion relative said second element.

The construction in accordance with the invention makes it possible to use a stationary record element and to be thus able to read matter printed or written on the same, such as titles, lyrics and/or music, indices etc. Furthermore, it is possible with such construction to provide for suitable index material, preferably on the record element itself, identifying given points on or sections of the record element and to coordinate the same, by way of a suitable position or progress indicator, with corresponding stylus positions. In this manner the position or positioning of the indicator in registry with a predetermined identifying index mark fixes the stylus position on the record element at the point identified by such mark.

The advantages gained in accordance with my novel construction, relative, for instance, the provision of index matter referred to, make it possible to produce a talking book, i. e., a book or the like recorded in sound reproduceable form. The combination of constant groove velocity drive and stationary sound record element, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention is productive of a cooperative relationship which well adapts the same for such talking books, since it is possible to obtain by such combination a sound reproduceable record element, containing uniformly the largest possible amount of recorded material per available area and capable of detailed topic or the like identification, from a suitable and properly coordinated index, for accurate stylus registry or observation of stylus progress.

In one form of my invention, therefore, the same embraces, in cooperation with my rotating sound translating stylus head construction, a constant groove velocity drive and index or progress indicator mechanism generically comprising an index indicator positioned and adapted to move over index marks arranged and coordinated with a record element so held, to identify sound groove sections thereon, and means cooperatively connecting said indicator and stylus head to move said indicator over such marks in coordination with indicator identifiable groove section progress of said stylus head.

In its preferred form such indicator construction is used in connection with index material, preferably carried on the sound record element itself, having index marks arranged and coordinated with stationary record element to identify sound groove sections thereon in a ratio of linear index sequence to linear groove section sequence in excess of 1:1. In such case the indicator and stylus head are so connected as to move the indicator at a ratio of linear indicator progress to radially linear stylus progress equivalent to the ratio of index groove section sequences referred to.

The invention will be more fully understood and the foregoing and further objects thereof will appear from the following description read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 represents a top view of a sound translating device in accordance with my invention with parts broken away to show underlying structures;

Fig. 2 illustrates a front View of the structure as shown in Fig. 1 exemplifying interlock of parts;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the front broken away and certain parts in cross-section;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 3 in the plane AA thereof;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section through Fig. 3 in the plane B-B thereof;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section through Fig. 3 in the plane C--C thereof;

Fig. 7 is a cross-section through Fig. 3 in the plane DD thereof;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 represent enlarged top, side, and front views respectively of a sound translating stylus element useful in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 11 demonstrates an enlarged view of part of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrating wire connections and centering spud;

Fig. 12 illustrates an enlarged view, partly in cross-section, of the record element transporting mechanism and clutch means therefore; Fig. 12A is a detail of the friction roller clutch mechanism.

Fig. 13 represents an enlarged top view of part of the indicator mechanism;

Fig. 13A is a front view, partly in cross-section of the construction shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 13B is a side view of part of the construction shown in Fig. 13A;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged showing of part of the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Figs. 15 and 16 represent enlarged side and top views respectively of parts of the construction shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of part of the construction shown in Figs. 2 and '3 illustrating steel tapes and casings;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged cross-section through a tape and casing shown in Fig. 22A, in the plane E-E thereof;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged cross-section through a tape and easing shown in Fig. 22A, in the plane FF thereof;

Fig. 20 is a top view partly in cross-section of a portion of Fig. 22, at right angles thereto, illustrating a tape and casing and slot therefore;

Fig. 21 is a view partly in cross-section of a portion of Fig. 22, at right angles thereto, illustrating tape and casing connections for slide wheel;

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view, partly broken away, of Fig. 22A in the plane H-H thereof;

Fig. 22A is an enlarged top view, partly broken away, illustrating tape and casing connections; Fig. 23 represents an enlarged cross-section through a scroll plate cooperating roller;

Fig. 24 represents an enlarged cross-section through an alternative form of scroll plate cooperating roller;

Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a laminated record element with sections broken away;

Fig. 25A illustrates a top view of a record element strip having a plurality of sound grooves;

Fig. 26 is part of a top view of a record element, with sections broken away, showing a Braille index;

Fig. 27 is a part of a top view of a record element, with sections broken away, showing signal slots; and

Fig. 28 demonstrates a cross-section of part of the record element shown in Fig. 27 illustrating signal slots, a registering light source and impulse element.

Figs. 29 and 30 are plan views of forms of record that may be used with this device.

The subject matter disclosed herein but not claimed forms the subject matter of copending applications 460,263, filed September 30, 1942,

now Patent No. 2,478,538, granted August 9, 1949; 472,792, filed January 18, 1943, now Patent No. 2,478,539, granted August 9, 1949, and 460,265, filed September 30, 1942.

Referring to the drawings (Figs. 3 and 4), indicates a carriage having slide tracks 2 and 4 respectively and rotatably mounted by way of clamp element 5 around stationary hollow shaft 6 axially slidable in sleeve shaft 81 screwed into cross-support 34c of chassis 34. Sound translating stylus head 1 is slidably mounted on silde track 3 and tiltable thereon with the stylus 8 facing upwards. Slide element 9 comprising a cam groove follower, is slidably mounted on slide track 3 of carriage and connected with stylus element 1 by means of connecting rod l0. Slide element 9 tiltable on slide track 3 carries grooved roller Counterweight |2 adapted to balance stylus element 1 is slidably mounted on slide track of carriage 4. A scroll plate I3, carrying closely spaced spiral grooves l4 and having a center opening I5, is mounted on frame |6 composed of shafts l1 and cross or base member I8. Base member I8 is slidably mounted on sleeve shaft 81. Shafts ll of frame It carry extensions 28 and 28 slidable in guide bushings I9 and I9 secured to chassis 34 attached to the base of housing 20 by means of screws 2| and spacing and positioning lugs 22.

Rods 60, carried between clamp element or block 5 and collar 6|,secured by means of'an anti-friction disc 6| a and a set of screws or the like 62 to the sleeve 81, extend parallel to and in symmetrically spaced relation around shaft 6 and sleeve 81. Wheel 42, carrying friction rim 63 and upper grooved portion 43, is slidably mounted on sleeve 81 and rods but in rotatable drive relation with rods 60 and thus carriage Flexible tape means such as steel tape 4| and 4| are attached to friction wheel 42 at diametrically opposed points adjacent shaft 81 (Figs. 5 and 22A), tape 4| being attached with its other end to stylus element 1 and tape 4| to counterweight l2 (Fig. 4). Tapes 4| and 4| slide freely in substantially rigid casings 66 and 66' attached to carriage (Figs. 4, 17, and 22A) As will be seen from Figs. 8, and 18 to 22A inclusive, illustrating the tape I and casing connections with respect to the stylus element 8, and casing 66, passes through hole or slot 684 in wheel 42 and is suitably secured to collar 6|. Steel tape 4| is secured by means of the pin or bolt 663 to wheel 42. Slot 665 in casing 66 permits pin or bolt 663, secured to wheel 42, to slide in casing 66 together with tape 4|. Slot 665 is preferably so selected that it delimits with its ends the axial movement of wheel 42. Referring to Figs. 22 and 22A, the upper part of casing 68 is secured to carriage Pin 661 securing tape 4| to stylus head 1, moves in slot 668. As wheel 42 moves down, the stylus head moves towards its axis of rotation and as wheel 42 moves up, the stylus element moves away from its axis of rotation. The same operating mechanism described for coordination of counterweight position and wheel position; in this case the pin moving in the tape slot secures the tape to the counterweight. As the tape and casing arrangement 4|, 66 is substantially congruous to the tape and casing arrangement 4|, 66', the weight I 2 will always substantially assume the same position with respect to the axis of rotation of carriage I as the stylus head 8.

Cone 10, rotatably mounted on inclined shaft 1|, presents a surface line, adjacent friction wheel 42, substantially parallel to the axis of shafts 6 and 81 (Figs. 2 and 3). Pulley 12 on cone I is connected by means of the belt or the like 13 to motor I4 (Figs. 5 and 6), ball bearing mount I5 facilitating rotation (Figs. 3 and 14). Referring to Figs. 3, 6, 14 and 16, cone 10 is carried by arm 11, pivotally mounted on studs I6 secured to chassis 34. Arm I1 is provided with cam surface I8 and is pivotable on stud I6 against the force of spring I9. Double arm lever 80, pivotally mounted at 83 on shaft 8|, is adapted to engage with its lever arm 82, cam surface I8; lever arm 84 carries fork extensions 85 adapted to engage undersurface 86 of frame member I8, slidably mounted on sleeve 81.

Cone arm 11 carries, pivotally attached adjacent its end, arm 88 which is in turn pivotally secured to crank rod 89 attached to shaft by means of the set screw or the like 26 (Figs. 3 and 6). Shaft 25 carries secured thereto crank rod 21 engaging adjacent its end cam surface 9| (Figs. 12 and 12A) of forked lever 92, pivoted at 93 and adapted to engage with its fork ends 95 clutch disc 96 against the force of spring 94. The pair of friction rollers 91 (Fig. 3) are in rotatable drive relation to manual control knob 98 (Figs. 2 and 12A), when clutch disc 96 is in the engaged position, by way of sleeve 90a. and clutch disc 96.

Forked member 40 (Figs. 3, 7 and 16) is slidably mounted in frame 34d on part of 340 of chassis 34 and carries the cam surfaced forked ends I00 adapted to engage the undersurface IOI (Fig. 3) of the slide bushing I02 of cross frame I8. Slot I03 (Fig. 14) in forked member 40 engages the pin or rod I04 carried by arm 80 substantially radial to the center of shaft 8| having manual control knob I05 (Figs. 2 and 6).

. Stationary hollow center shaft 6 (Figs. 14 and 15) is provided at its lower end with a cam surface or roller I06 positioned to be engaged by the cam I91 carried by shaft I08. Shaft I08 carries disc IIO (Fig. 7) secured thereto by set screw III and turns freely inside sleeve II2 carrying manual control knob I09. Sleeve H2 is provided with friction clutch disc II3, rotatable with and axially slidable on sleeve I I2, engaging with its shoulder II4 spring II5 mounted to bring discs IIO Grooved portion I I6 of friction clutch disc H3 is en aged by the forked end I II of forked lever arm carand H3 into clutching engagement.

rying cam surface 29 positioned to be engaged by shaft 28 and pivotally connected at 3| to the ex tension 34B of chassis 34.

As illustrated in Figs. 3, '7, 13, 13A and 13B, forked lever arm 31 carrying cam surface 36, positioned to be engaged by the lower end of shaft 28 is pivotally attached at to the extension 34A of chassis 34. Forked ends I20 of arm 31 engage the grooved portion I2I of friction clutch disc I22, mounted rotatably with and axially slidable on sleeve I23 carrying manual control knob I24. Arm 3? forces clutch disc I22 against the force of spring I26, into engagement with disc I2'I when extension 28 engages cam surface 36. Disc I2'I is connected by set screw or the like I28 to shaft 560, mounted to freely rotate inside sleeve I23. Shaft 560 carries rotatable therewith shaft pulleys 32 and 33. Shaft I29 (Figs. 3 and 4) mounted in the upper part of the device, substantially parallel to shaft 599, carries pulley 59 in substantial registry with pulley 32 of shaft 560. Belt or chain I30 (Fig. 3) passes in endless fashion over pulleys 32 and 59. T-arm I3I, slidably mounted with its center portion 46 by way of rollers I32 on a square shaft 45, engages with prongs I or forked portion 44 the grooved portion 43 ofthe friction wheel 42. Arm portion I4I of T-arm I3I is provided with a slot or hole 41 permitting on side of the belt or chain I30 to pass through. The other side of belt or chain I30 is attached to adjacent the end of section I4I of T-arm I3I. Belt or chain I43 passes in endless fashion over pulleys 6| and 33 (Figs. 1 and 7). The portion of the belt or chain extending between pulleys '6I and 62 carries indicator point I44. The ratio of the diameter of pulley 33 to that of pulley 32 is preferably so selected that the indicator I44 is moved in its travel between the pulleys 6| and 62, a comparatively large distance with a relatively small turn of the pulley 33, as for instance, at a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1.

Frame I45 (Figs. 1 and 2) is suitably attached to the case of housing 20 such as by angle brackets 48 adjacent the top of the structure. A cover preferably of transparent material I46 fits over frame I45 leaving a space to receive record material. The cover is preferably held in position by the portions of angle brackets 48 extending above frame I 45 on housing 20. Frame I45 serves as support for record material I41, which in the embodiment shown (Fig. 1) comprises a strip of successive individual record materials each having; its individual spirally arranged sound groove I48, its individual centering aperture I49 and its center point indicator I50. Each individual portion may carry at the margin thereof, a suitable legend or index I5I with which the indicator point I44 may be brought into registry. Stylus positions relative given points on or sections of the record sound groove are coordinated with indicator positions in registry with identifying index marks. Stylus positions or progress on the sound groove is thus ascertainable at any time from indicator position or progress on the index. Suitable arrangement for viewing the index should be made such as by way of a cover at least partly composed of transparent material.

Cover I46 cooperates with the frame and disc member I52 (Figs. 13 and 11) to properly support the record material. Frame I45 and cover I46 are so spaced as to permit the record material I4I to pass therebetween without the necessity of lifting the cover. If desired, latch means (not shown) may be used to secure cover I46. Signal mark I53 (Fig. 1) is provided on the cover I46 to indicate centered position of record material when in registry with the center point mark I50.

The scroll plate I3 is preferably secured and positioned in axially slidable arrangement by means of the guide brackets 49.

Hollow shaft 6 (Figs. 3 and 11) carries centering spud I54 fitting with its shoulder portion I55 into recess I56 of disc I 52, secured to the sleeve 81 by means of spring element I5'I. Disc I52 is slidable with respect to shaft 6 and spud I54 against the force of spring I5'I. Sleeve 81 carries collector ring I58 engaged by the silver graphite brush I59 held in contact with the collector ring by the spring I60 and connected to the sound translating stylus element by the wire lead I6I wound around slide track 3. Wire lead I62 attached to collector ring I58 passes through registering slots in sleeve 81 and hollow shaft 6,

thence through hollow shaft 6 emerging adjacent the base thereof at I 63.

Specifically referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10, a sound reproducing stylus element, useful in accordance with the invention, is exemplified.

Mounted in casing I66 is a piezo-electric crystal l6! preferably se't' in rubber I68 and supporting with its wedge-shaped point I69, in a suitable V-shaped indentation I10, the stylus arm I65, carrying the stylus I'll. The shorter end of arm I65 is attached to spring I12 secured to the housing I66, the upper lip I74 of the aperture I13 of the housing I66 serving as a stop for arm I65.

The spiral grooves I l (Figs. 3 and 4) on scroll plate [3 are preferably provided in dimensional simulation of a spiral phonographic record sound groove. Roller ll designed to cooperate with scroll plate I3 is preferably a small roller carrying circumferential grooves providing ridges adapted to engage or track in the grooves M on the scroll plate l3. Both the grooves on the scroll plate and the grooves on the cooperating roller are preferably made in buttress form adapted to exert radial pressure in the direction in which the radius is to be extended or reduced as the case may be without developing any large component of pressure tending to force grooved roller out of the grooves in the scroll plate. The scroll plate, in accordance with my invention, may be conveniently molded from a suitable plastic material and preferably a thermo-plastic material such as a suitable Vinylite, Bakelite, or the like, the molding of such grooves presenting no more difficulty than the molding of grooves in the ordinary phonographic record. Alternatively, if desired, suitable scroll plates may be made in any other suitable manner such as by precision etching or engraving or the like.

As a scroll plate cooperating roller, in accordance with my invention, I prefer to use a hard polished steel roller. A plurality of grooves 106 (Fig. 23) may be placed on the roller to produce a plurality of ridges, adapted to engage corresponding grooves in the scroll plate. By the use of a plurality number of grooves or ridges a greater total strength is provided for the driving mechanism although it is recognized that all of the engaging surfaces do not travel at identical speeds, and that therefore slippage between some of the grooves must occur. With a finely grooved scroll plate, however, and a finely grooved or ridged cooperating roller, 5 or more grooves may be engaged substantially without producing slippage or irregularities in the driving guide the radial movement of the sound translating stylus.

As an alternative, to the simple form of grooved steel roller just mentioned, I may employ a laminated roller consisting of alternate discs of steel 'llH (Fig. 24) and of resilient material such as synthetic rubber I02 all mounted on a common shaft 193 which serves as axis of revolution of the roller. These discs are all clamped tightly together by two cooperating cheeks 704 mounted on this axis and of diameters slightly smaller than the steel and rubber discs. This disc assembly is then suitably provided with grooved or ridged surface 705 adapted to cooperate with the grooves on the scroll plate. Such a laminated roller has the advantage of cooperating more accurately with the grooves on the scroll plate since the resilient material between the successive discs yields slightly and thus distributes the pressure load between the discs instead of permitting it to fall upon one disc alone, in the event of slight irregularities in the scroll plate.

The device in accordance with my invention, as is common with sound translating mechanisms known to the art, may be used both for the preparation of the record as Well as for the reproduction of sound from a record already made. In many cases, as is for instance conventional in the art, increased pressure of the stylus on the record material will produce a sound groove while the same stylus permitted to pass through the previously made groove at reduced pressure will reproduce the sound of that groove. Alternatively separate stylus heads may be used, one for recording and another for reproduction. Where reference, therefore, is made herein to the term sound record element or such similar expression, the same is used in its broadest sense and intended to include in a proper case a sound record element adapted to receive a sound groove as well as a sound record element already containing a sound groove and adapted for reproduction of sound therefrom.

Although a strip of successive units of record material has been illustrated in connection with the construction exemplified b way of preferred embodiment in the drawings, it is possible to use individual pieces of record material and irrespective of their particular geometrical configuration. If substantially circular record material is used, a suitable modification of the frame may be necessary, within the skill of the artisan, to firmly hold the record material in place. I prefer, however, to use the square form of record material as the same offers many advantages not realized with other forms of record material.

In its preferred form, Figs. 23 and 25A, the record may be laminated having a center strip of preferably non-transparent material such as the paper strip Hi adapted to receive a suitable printed legend, such as a table of contents, a visual index or the like 120. Covering this center strip on each side, and suitably secured Or bonded thereto, is a thin layer of plastic material preferably relatively thin sheet material we, adapted to receive a sound reproduceable groove of either lateral or vertical cut type "F21. This plastic material is preferably transparent. Consequently one surface of the plastic may serve as a protection for the printed visual legend while the other surface receives sound impressions. If desired, however, sound impressions may be carried on both surfaces, and visual index or the like material may be printed on both sides of the center strip. The visual legend material may extend to portions covered by sheet material carrying sound grooves since the sound grooves do not obscure plainly printed material.

' As supplement to the visual index and particularly for use by the blind, I may extend one edge ,of the record strip (Fig. 26) and provide thereon Braille index marks J22.

It is further possible to provide (Figs. 27 and 28) suitable signal slots or marks 123 coordinated with given index marks 724 and thus with given indicator coordinated stylus positions to actuate any desired mechanism, as for instance, illustrated in Fig. 28, the light source 725 secured to and moving with indicator 126 incites, when in registry with signal slot 123', the selenium or impulse element 72'! thereby closing an electric circuit (not shown), to effect for example slide changing in a projection machine.

By way of simplification but not of limitation, the hereinafter following description of the practical operation of my invention is made in connection with record material, adapted to be translated int-o sound from a sound groove previously recorded. I

In the practical operation of my invention, and assuming the manual control knob I 63 to register with its index fingerthe oii position (Fig. 2),

surface 9I in which the forked position 95 forces clutch disc 96 into clutch engagement so as to establish direct drive relation between control knob 98 and friction roller 91. Rotation of control knob 98 is continued until centerpoint mark I50 on the record is substantially in registry with signal mark I53 on cover I46.

The relative position of parts with control knob I in the off position will be substantially noted as follows: The scroll plate I3 (Fig. 3) is down and out of engagementwith roller ll of slide element 9. Stylus 8 of sound translating head 1 is out of engagement with the sound record material. shaft 6 and sleeve 81 are in a substantially lowered position. Shaft extension '28 engages cam surface 29 (Fig. '1) thereby swinging arm 30 frontwards and thus holding clutch disc II3 out of engaging position with disc IIO on shaft I 08 whereby the direct drive connection between control knob I09 and shaft I08 is released. Shaft extension 28' (Figs. '1 and 13) engages cam surface 36 thereby swinging arm 31 back and thus the clutch disc I22 into engagement with the disc I21 whereby direct drive connection between the control knob I24, sleeve I23 and shaft 60 is established. Forked arm 84 (Figs. 6 and 14) of double lever arm 60 is lowered while arm portion 82 is on the upper portion of the inclined face 18 of the cone base 11 thereby swinging cone around its pivot point 16 against the force of spring 19 away from the engagement with the friction wheel 42, this pivoting motion at the same time securing drive connection between friction rolls 91 and control knob 96, as previously described, by Way of the rods 88, 89 and 21 and the wedge arm 92, pivoting at 93 (Figs. 3, 12 and 12A).

As the next step in the operation of the device,

the stylus is positioned with respect to any particular desired point of registry with the sound groove on the record I41. This is accomplished by turning control knob I24 (Fig. 13) which, being in clutched drive relation to shaft 60 and pulley 32, will rotate the endless belt I30 by way of pulley 59, at the same time rotatin pulleys 53, 6| and 62 by way of belt I43 (Fig. 3). Assuming the record material to be one on which sound reproduction is to proceed from outwardly to inwardly on the spiral sound groove, the T-arm I3I in its highest position will correspond to the highest position of friction wheel 42 and in its lowest position to the lowest position of friction wheel 42. Friction wheel 42 is connected to stylus element 1 on carriage I by steel tape 4I, slidable in tape casing 66, in such manner that the highest and lowest positions of friction wheel 42, with respect to the surface of cone 10, correspond respectively to positions of greatest and least radial extension of the sound translating stylus element 1.

The index or other legend indicator I44 is preferably so set that its zero mark corresponds to the outermost [position of the sound translating stylus element. By turning control knob I24, the index indicator I44 may be set to any desired position between the outermost and innermost positions of the stylus element, i. e., to any given intermediate index point, predetermined for a particular sound groove relation. a d, t e P0 10 tioning of index I44 will automatically adjust the stylus of stylus element 1 to that position.

After the index pointer has been set to the desired position, i. e., in the illustration of the drawings the zero position (Fig. 1) corresponding to the outermost stylus element position, the control lever, I05 (Fig. 2) is turned with the marker 495 to the on position. Arm 62 (Figs. 3 and 14) slides down cam surface 18 of base 11 of cone I0 thereby causing spring 19 (Figs. 6 and 16) to pivot cone 16 towards and into engagement with the rim 63 of friction wheel 42 (Fig. 3) At the same time, by way of rods 88, 89 and crank 21, clutch disc 96 (Fig. 12A) is moved out of clutching engagement thereby breaking the direct drive relation between control knob 98 and friction rollers 91 so that in this position the strip of record material cannot be moved by accidental turning of control knob 98. As arm 82 (Figs. 3 and 14) moves downwardly on the inclined surface of the cone base, the forked portions 85 of arm 84 engage surface 86 of the cross frame I8 lifting the same, at the same time sliding forked member by way of the pin I04 and slot I03 under the sleeve 102, which is slidably mounted on sleeve member 81, surrounding hollow shaft 6. Slide member 40 thereby engages, with the inclined fork portions I00, the under-surface IOI of the sliding bushing I92 so as to lock cross frame I8 of the frame I6 into position. When raising cross frame member I 8, scroll plate I3, carried by frame I6, is comrnensurately raised into engaging position between the groove I I on the scroll plate I3 and the grooved roller I4 carried by the slide member 9 (Fig. 3) As the scroll plate engages the grooved roller, the latter is pushed upwardly thus tilting slide member 9 on its slide track and thereby tilting the stylus element into stylus engagement with the record. In the position shown, the sound translating stylus element is in its outermost position while the scroll plate cooperating roller I4 is in its innermost position.

The raising of frame I6 and thus of the scroll plate I3 moves the frame extensions 28 and 28, which are preferably of smaller diameter than the frame portions I1, out of contact with the respective cam surfaces 36 and 29 (Fig. '7). In this manner, arm 30 swings backward thereby moving, aided by spring II2, the clutch disc II3 into clutching position with disc IIO to thereby establish direct drive connection between the control knob I09 and shaft I08 by way of the sleeve H2, friction clutch H3 and disc IIO. At the same time, arm 31, controlled by spring I26, moves F disc I22 away from the disc I21 thereby breaking the direct drive connection between shaft and the control knob I24. This arrangement prevents movment of the stylus element, while in record engagement, by accidental turning of the control knob I24.

As aforerelated, with control knob I05 (Fig. 2) in the on position, control knob I09 (Fig. 7) is in direct drive relation to shaft I08. Turning of control knob I09 and thus of shaft I08 (Figs. 3, 14 and 15) will cause cam element I01, engaging the roll 106 at the lower end of shaft 6, to raise shaft 6, thereby pushing the upper end or spud I54 (Fig. 11) of shaft 6 through the center hole I90 of the record material I41 and partly into and in registry with the aperture I9I of cover I46. In this manner, the record material is more accurately centered than is possible by index registry alone between marks I50 and I53. Projection I92 on shaft 6 and slidable in slot I93 of sleeve 81 del mits the movement of shaft 6. Projection I92 serves to control movement of shaft 6 with respect to sleeve 81 and may also serve to actuate a contact switch (not shown) when in its highest position, i. e., a position at which the centering spud I54 has brought the apertures of cover and of record material into substantially accurate registry with plate I52 which firmly holds the record material against cover I45 by means of spring element I51. This contact switch (not illustrated) serves to switch on motor 14 (Fig. 6) to drive cone 10 by means of the belt 13 and cone pulley 12. Alternatively a separate motor switch may be provided to be manually operated when all other elements are in their proper operating relations.

As the driven cone rotates, it engages the friction rim (Figs. 3 and 5) such as rubber rim 63, of friction wheel 42 by frictional contact with the cone surface. Friction wheel 42 and rods 60 thus rotate together with carriage I. As carriage rotates, the cooperating roller l4 passes in groove engagement with the grooves H of scroll plate l3 and stylus 8 of sound translating stylus head 1 travels along the spiral sound groove of the record element I41. These outwardly spiraling grooves H cause the cooperating roller l4 and thus slide element 9 to move in a radially extending spiral path, while the stylus element moves in a radially decreasing spiral path. As stylus 8 moves in a radial diminution, steel tape 4! held longitudinally substantially rigid by the rigid casing 66, causes rotating wheel 42 to slide downwardly to progressively increasing cone diameter positions. Steel tape 4|, held longitudinally substantially rigid by the rigid casing 65; will commensurately move the counterweight I 2 in continuous position of balance with the moving stylus head 1.

The circumference of the friction disc 42 and the dimensions, including pitch, of the cone surface are so selected that the stylus 8 of the sound stylus translating element I travels in any given time interval substantially the same linear extent of groove regardless of the radial position of the stylus. Thus, when the stylus traverses the larger spirals, the frictional engagement between the wheel 43 and the cone surface is at the smaller end of the cone and as the stylus traverses grooves of lesser radius, the wheel 42 is in frictional engagement with a larger circumference cone surface, finally arriving, as shown in the dotted position, in driving engagement with the base of the cone at a point where the stylus traverses spirals of minimum radius. By the use of this constant groove velocity principle, I am able to utilize almost the entire area of the record element, reproducing from any portion thereof, sound of a quality and fidelity identical with that reproduced from any other part of the record element.

Though the device in the illustration herein used is exemplified as one operating from maximum to minimum radial position, it is, of course, understood that the same may be used by drive directional reversal, such as by belt crossing in connection with record material in which the stylus element rotates in spirally outwardly extending engagement.

The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the same is not to be limited except by the appended claims in which I have endeavored to claim broadly all inherent novelty.

I claim:

1. A sound translating device comprising in combination, means for supporting a record inverted in stationary position, a head beneath and,

in registry with said supporting means, a stylus carried by said head movable to engage said record, and movable toward the axis of the record position, means for rotating said head about said axis, and for moving said stylus to confine the movement of said stylus to a spiral identical with the spiral of the; record, said head rotating mechanism connected to the stylus moving means including means for varying the rotating speed of the head inversely as the distance of the stylus from the center.

2. A sound translating device comprising in combination, means for supporting a record inverted in stationary position, a head beneath and in registry with said supporting means, a stylus carried by said head movable to engage said record, andmovable toward the axis of the record position, means for rotating said head about said axis, and for moving said stylus to confine the movement of said stylus to a spiral identical with the spiral of the record, said head rotating means including, a motor, a cone member driven by said motor, a shaft coaxial with and connected with to rotate the head having a sliding friction wheel thereon, said cone being mounted to engage said wheel in all positions of the latter, and means operated by the position of the stylus to vary the position of the wheel along the axis of said cone to maintain the linear speed of the stylus, constant.

3. A sound translating device comprising in combination, means for supporting a record inverted in stationary position, a head beneath, and in registry with said record position, a stylus carried by said head, means to move said stylus toward the center of the record position, a vertical shaft coaxial with and connected to drive said head, having a sliding friction wheel thereon, a motor driven cone mounted with one cone element parallel to said shaft in position to engage said wheel, a flexible driving strip connecting said stylus and said wheel and guide means for said driving strip, constructed and arranged to move said wheel vertically as said stylus moves toward the center of the record position, said cone varying in diameter inversely in proportion to the distance of the stylus from the axis so as to maintain the linear speed of the stylus, constant.

4. A sound translating device comprising in combination, means for supporting a record inverted in stationary position, a head beneath, and in registry with said record position, a'stylus carried by said head, a disc having a spiral groove thereon, a follower carried by said head and connected to said stylus, and movable to engage said disc spiral, a vertical shaft coaxial with and connected to drive said head, having a sliding friction wheel thereon, a motor driven cone mounted with one cone element parallel to said shaft in position to engage said wheel, a flexible driving strip connecting said stylus and said wheel and guide means for said driving strip, a counter-balance for said stylus, a second flexible driving strip connecting said counter-balance with said wheel, and a guide for said second strip, said strips and guides being constructed and arranged to move said wheel vertically and said stylus and said counter-balance toward the center of the record position, as the follower moves radially, the cone varying in diameter inversely in proportion to the distance of the stylus from the axis whereby the spiral of the disc will move the stylus along the sound groove of a record at a uniform linear speed.

5. A sound translating device comprising in combination, means for supporting a record inverted in stationary position, a head beneath, and in registry with said record position, a stylus carried by said head, means to move said stylus toward the center of the record position, a vertical shaft coaxial with and connected to drive said head, having a sliding friction wheel thereon, a motor driven cone mounted with one cone element parallel to said shaft in position to engage said wheel, a flexible driving strip connecting said stylus and said wheel and guide means for said driving strip, constructed and arranged to move said wheel vertically as said stylus moves radially, said cone varying in diameter inversely in proportion to the distance of the stylus from the axis so as to maintain the linear speed of the stylus, constant, and means for tilting the cone away from the wheel, and for freeing said stylus from a record.

6. A sound translating device comprising in.

combination, means for supporting a record inverted in stationary position, a head beneath, and in registry with said record position, a stylus carried by said head, a disc having a spiral groove thereon, a follower carried by said head and connected to said stylus, and movable to engage said disc spiral, a vertical shaft coaxial with and connected to drive said head, having a sliding friction wheel thereon, a motor driven cone mounted with one cone element parallel to said slfaft in position to engage said wheel, a flexible driving strip connecting said stylus and said wheel and guide means for said driving strip, a counter-balance for said stylus, a second flexible driving strip connecting said counter-balance with said wheel, and a guide for said second strip said strips and guides being constructed and arranged to move said wheel vertically and said stylus and counter-balance toward the center of the record position, as the follower moves radially, the cone varying in diameter inversely in proportion to the distance of said stylus from the axis whereby the spiral of the disc Will move the stylus along the sound groove of a record at a uniform linear speed, and common means for simultaneously moving said head to free said stylus from engagement with the record and said follower from said disc, and for moving said cone out of engagement with said wheel.

RICHARD G. LEITNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 793,140 Manwaring June 27, 1905 860,878 Myers July 23, 1907 1,008,605 MacDonald Nov. 14, 1911 1,271,881 Fletcher July 9, 1918 1,462,867 Meyer July 24, 1923 1,490,916 Dennison Apr. 22, 1924 1,630,630 Nishida May 31, 1927 2,260,861 Nystrom Oct. 28, 1941 

